Charging keyboard based on magnetic field generated by computing device

ABSTRACT

A base may include a frame, a keyboard partially enclosed by the frame, a battery, and a single coil coupled to the battery. The keyboard may be configured to wirelessly communicate with a computing device. The battery may be configured to provide power to the keyboard. The single coil may be configured to induce a current from a magnetic field to charge the battery. The base may not include any charging coils other than the single coil.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/116,093, filed on Feb. 13, 2015, entitled, “ChargingKeyboard Based on Magnetic Field Generated by Computing Device,” thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This description relates to charging electrical devices.

BACKGROUND

Users of tablet computing devices may desire to use a keyboard. Thekeyboard may be powered by a battery, which may be drained of energyduring use.

SUMMARY

According to an example embodiment, a base may include a frame, akeyboard partially enclosed by the frame, a battery, and a single coilcoupled to the battery. The keyboard may be configured to wirelesslycommunicate with a computing device. The battery may be configured toprovide power to the keyboard. The single coil may be configured toinduce a current from a magnetic field to charge the battery. The basemay not include any charging coils other than the single coil.

According to another example embodiment, a tablet computing device mayinclude a display, at least one processor, a single charging coil, acommunication sensor, a charging sensor, and a housing enclosing thedisplay, the at least one processor, the single charging coil, thecommunication sensor, and the charging sensor. The at least oneprocessor may be configured to cause the tablet computing device to, inresponse to the communication sensor detecting proximity of a keyboard,initiate wireless communication between the keyboard to the tabletcomputing device, and, in response to the charging sensor detectingproximity of the keyboard, cause the single charging coil to induce amagnetic field to charge the keyboard.

According to another example embodiment, a system may include a keyboardand a tablet computing device. The keyboard may include a battery and asingle keyboard coil coupled to the battery. The battery may beconfigured to provide power to the keyboard. The single keyboard coilcoupled to the battery may be configured to induce a current from amagnetic field to charge the battery. The tablet computing device maylay across the keyboard. The tablet computing device may include asingle tablet coil aligned with the single keyboard coil. The singletablet coil may be configured to induce the magnetic field to charge thebattery.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will beapparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a tablet computing device mountedonto a base with a keyboard in an open position according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the tablet computing device facingdown onto the base according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 1C is a perspective view showing the tablet computing device facingup from the base according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a top view of the base according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the base with the tablet computingdevice mounted thereon according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2C is a side view of the base according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the base according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the keyboard according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 5A is a top view of the tablet computing device according to anexample embodiment.

FIGS. 5B and 5C are cross-sectional views of the tablet computing deviceaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5D is a schematic view of the tablet computing device according toan example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a timing diagram showing the tablet computing device andkeyboard initiate communication according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram showing the tablet computing device chargethe keyboard according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a generic computer device and a genericmobile computer device, which may be used with the techniques describedhere.

Like reference numbers refer to like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a tablet computing device 102mounted onto a base 104 with a keyboard 112 in an open positionaccording to an example embodiment. The tablet computing device 102 maybe rectangular, with either sharp or curved corners. The tabletcomputing device 102 may include a housing 106 enclosing a display 108.The housing 106 may also enclose magnets (not shown in FIG. 1A) thatattach the tablet computing device 102 to a mount 114 of the base 104.The display 108 may include any type of electronic display, such as aliquid crystal display (LCD), plasma screen, light-emitting diode (LED)display, Ultra HD or 4K, or an organic LED (OLED) display, asnon-limiting examples. The tablet computing device 102 may be configuredto wirelessly communicate with a human interface device, such as akeyboard 112, via a wireless communication protocol such as Institutefor Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.15 Bluetooth.

The tablet computing device 102 may also be configured to generate amagnetic field from which the keyboard 112 can induce a current tocharge a battery (shown in FIG. 4) of the keyboard 112. The keyboard 112may include, for example, a single charging coil coupled to the battery.The single charging coil may be configured to induce the current tocharge the battery. The single charging coil in the keyboard 112 with noother charging coils included in the keyboard 112, as well as a singlecharging coil in the tablet computing device 102 with no other chargingcoils included in the tablet computing device 102, may maximize theefficiency of the tablet computing device 102 charging the keyboard 112,minimizing any wasted energy caused by magnetic fields that are notclose enough to the single charging coil in the keyboard 112 to inducethe current.

The base 104 may include a frame 110. The frame 110 may be made of arigid and/or conductive material such as metal, and may be rectangularwith either curved or sharp corners. The base 104 may include a keyboard112. The keyboard 112 may include alphanumeric and other keys, which maybe made of an insulative material such as plastic, for providing inputto the tablet computing device 102. The keyboard 112 may be configuredto wirelessly communicate with the tablet computing device 102 toforward the user's inputted keystrokes to the tablet computing device102. The keyboard 112 may also be configured to charge a batteryincluded in the keyboard 112 by inducing a current from a magnetic fieldgenerated by the tablet computing device 102.

The base 104 may include a mount 114. The mount 114 may be hingedlyattached to the frame 110. The mount 114 may rotate from a positionresting against a rear portion of the frame 110 to laying across, ornearly across, the keyboard 112. In the example shown in FIG. 1A, themount 114 may extend from the frame at an angle (shown in FIG. 2B)between twenty and eighty degrees. The tablet 102 may extend beyond anend portion of the frame 110, such as by extending through a plane thatis perpendicular to the frame and extends along an end portion of theframe 110 that is opposite from the keyboard 112. The mount 114 may behingedly attached to the frame 110 by at least one, such as two,friction hinges (not shown in FIG. 1A). The friction hinge(s) mayprevent the mount 114 and/or tablet computing device 102 from rotatingwith respect to the frame 110, and/or cause the mount 114 and/or tabletcomputing device 102 to remain in position with respect to the frame110, until a user applies sufficient force to rotate the mount 114and/or tablet computing device 102 with respect to the frame 110.

In an example embodiment, the friction hinge(s) may collectively have afriction of at least one kilogram per centimeter. The friction in adirection of rotation toward the keyboard 112 may be less than thefriction in a direction of rotation away from the keyboard 112, reducinga likelihood of the tablet computing device 102 falling off the mount114 when the user is rotating the mount 114 and/or tablet computingdevice 102 toward the keyboard 112 by pressing or pulling the tabletcomputing device 102 away from the mount 114. The lower friction in thedirection of rotation toward the keyboard 112 than the friction in thedirection of rotation away from the keyboard may be achieved bycombining the friction hinge(s) with one or more torsion springs (shownin FIG. 3). The torsion spring(s) may apply pressure, torque, and/orforce in the direction of rotation toward the keyboard 112, reducing theforce that the user must apply, such as to the tablet computing device102, to rotate the mount 114 and/or tablet computing device 102 towardthe keyboard 112. In an example embodiment, when the friction hinge(s)is combined with the torsion spring(s), the friction in the direction ofrotation toward the keyboard 112 may be between four and six kilogramsper centimeter, and the friction in the direction of rotation away fromthe keyboard 112 may be between eight and twelve kilograms percentimeter. In another example embodiment, when the friction hinge(s) iscombined with the torsion spring(s), the friction in the direction ofrotation toward the keyboard 112 may be between three and four kilogramsper centimeter per hinge (such as 3.7 kg/cm) for a total friction in anexample of two hinges of between six and eight kilograms per centimeter(such as 7.4 kg/cm), and the friction in the direction of rotation awayfrom the keyboard 112 may be between four and five kilograms percentimeter per hinge (such as 4.2 kg/cm) for a total friction in theexample of two hinges of between eight and ten kilograms per centimeter(such as 8.4 kg/cm).

The mount 114 may hold the tablet computing device 102 in an uprightposition for display to a user. The tablet computing device 102 may beheld to the mount 114 by magnetic attraction. The tablet computingdevice 102 may include at least one magnet (not shown in FIG. 1A), andthe mount 114 may include at least one magnet (not shown in FIG. 1A).The attraction of the at least one magnet in the mount 114 to the atleast one magnet in the tablet computing device 102 may retain thetablet computing device 102 against the mount 114 in the uprightposition shown in FIG. 1A. In an example embodiment, the total strengthof attraction of the magnets to each other may be between thirty andfifty newtons and/or between thirty-five and forty-five newtons.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the tablet computing device 102facing down onto the base 104 (not labeled in FIG. 1B) according to anexample embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1B, the display 108 (not shown inFIG. 1B) may face toward the base 104 (not labeled in FIG. 1B), and aback 116 of the housing 106 of the tablet computing device 102 may faceaway from the base 104, forming a closed position which protects thedisplay 108 (not shown in FIG. 1B). Magnets included in the housing 106of the tablet computing device 102, such as within one, two, three, orfour corners of the housing 106 of the tablet computing device 102, mayalign with a same number of magnets in corresponding corners of the base104, retaining the tablet computing device 102 in position with respectto the base 104.

FIG. 1C is a perspective view showing the tablet computing device 102facing up from the base 104 (not labeled in FIG. 1B) according to anexample embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1C, the display 108 faces away fromthe base 104, enabling the user to use the combination and/or system ofthe tablet computing device 102 and base 104 as a tablet without akeyboard. Magnets included in the housing 106 of the tablet computingdevice 102, such as within one, two, three, or four corners of thehousing 106 of the tablet computing device 102, may align with a samenumber of magnets in corresponding corners of the base 104, retainingthe tablet computing device 102 in position with respect to the base104.

FIG. 2A is a top view of the base 104 according to an exampleembodiment. The base 104 may include the frame 110. The frame 110 may bemade of a rigid material, such as metal or plastic. The frame may berectangular, with either rounded or sharp corners. A width 280 of theframe 110 and/or base 104 may be greater than a length 282 of the frame110 and/or base 104. The length 282 of the frame 110 may be between onehundred and sixty millimeters and two hundred millimeters, between onehundred and seventy millimeters and one hundred and ninety millimeters,or between one hundred and seventy-five millimeters and one hundred andeighty-five millimeters.

The frame 110 may partially enclose the keyboard 112. A bottom side ofthe keyboard 112 may be in contact with the frame 110, and/or the frame110 may be disposed on the bottom side of the keyboard 112. A topportion of the keyboard 112 facing the viewer of FIG. 2A may be made ofan insulative material such as plastic. The insulative material such asplastic may allow the magnetic field generated by the tablet computingdevice 102 to penetrate the keyboard 112 and induce an electric currentin the charging coil 284 of the keyboard 112. The keyboard 112 mayinclude a first side 270B and/or front portion, a second side 276Band/or a right side (from the perspective of a user) adjacent to thefirst side 270B and/or front portion, a third side 272B and/or backportion adjacent to the second side 276B and/or right side and oppositefrom the first side 270B and/or front portion, and a fourth side 274Band/or left side adjacent to the first side 270B and/or front portionand adjacent to the third side 272B and/or back portion and oppositefrom the second side 276B and/or right side. The first side 270B and/orfront portion may contact a perimeter of the frame 110, the second side276B and/or right side may contact the perimeter of the frame 110, thethird side 272B and/or back portion may not contact the perimeter of theframe 110, and the fourth side 274B and/or left side may contact theperimeter of the frame 110. The perimeter of the frame 110 may include afirst end portion 270A in contact with the first side 270B of thekeyboard 112, a second end portion 272A displaced from the third side272B of the keyboard 112, a first side portion 274A in contact with thethird side 274B of the keyboard 112, and a second side portion 276A incontact with the second side 276B of the keyboard 112.

The mount 114 may be hingedly attached to the frame 110 at one or more,such as two, locations in the frame 110 adjacent to the keyboard 112.When laying flat against the base 104, the mount 114 may occupy thespace between the third side 272B and/or back portion of the keyboard112 and the second end portion 272A of the frame 110. The depth and/orlength 281 of the mount 114, as measured from the second end portion272A of the frame 110 to the third side 272B of the keyboard 112, may beat least one-fifth of the length 282 of the frame 110, such as betweenforty and sixty millimeters or between forty-five and fifty-fivemillimeters. The depth and/or length 281 of the mount 114, at leastone-fifth of the length 282 of the frame 110, may be sufficient toprevent the system including the base 104 and tablet computing device102 (not shown in FIG. 2B) from tipping backward away from the user whenthe base 104 is placed on a flat surface such as a table and the tabletcomputing device 102 is mounted onto the mount 114.

In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the base 104 includes two hinges 260,262 connecting and/or hingedly attaching the mount 114 to the frame 110.The hinges 260, 262 may enable the mount 114 to rotate about an axis 202with respect to the frame 110 and/or keyboard 112. The axis 202 mayextend through both of, and/or all, the hinges 260, 262. The hinges 262may be friction hinges, with friction sufficient to resist the force ofgravity from the mount 114 and tablet computing device 102.

The keyboard 112 and/or base 104 may include a charging coil 284 forreceiving power from the tablet computing device 102 to charge thebattery (shown in FIG. 4) that powers the keyboard 112. The chargingcoil 284 may induce a current from a magnetic field generated by thetablet computing device 102. The induced current may charge the batterythat powers the keyboard 112.

The keyboard 112 and/or base 104 may include a single charging coil 284to charge the battery. The charging coil 284 may be included in thefirst side portion 270B and/or front portion or first end portion of thekeyboard 112. The single charging coil 284 in the keyboard 112 and/orbase 104, and the single charging coil in the tablet computing device102, may increase efficiency of charging by minimizing magnetic fieldsthat do not induce current in the keyboard 112 and/or base 104. Thecharging coil 284 may be located in a corner of the keyboard 112 and/orbase 104, such as the lower right-hand corner near an intersection ofthe first side 270B and second side 276B of the keyboard and/or thefirst end portion 270A and second side portion 276A of the frame 110, orthe lower left-hand corner near an intersection of the first side 270Band fourth side 274B of the keyboard 112 and/or the first end portion270A and the first side portion 274A of the frame 110. The keyboard 112may include a magnet near the charging coil 284. The magnet near thecharging coil 284 may prompt a charging sensor of the tablet computingdevice 102 to enter a charging mode and generate the magnetic field tocharge the battery of the keyboard 112.

The charging coil 284 may be oval-shaped. A first diameter 286 of thecharging coil 284 may extend in the direction of the width 280 of theframe 110, and may be approximately the same as, such as within 5% of orwithin 10% of, a diameter of the charging coil of the tablet computingdevice 102. A second diameter 288 of the charging coil 284 may be lessthan the first diameter 286, such as between one-third and one-fifth ofthe first diameter 286; the first diameter 286 may be between three andfive times the second diameter 288. In an example embodiment, the firstdiameter 286 of the coil 284 may be between twenty and thirty-fivemillimeters (20 mm to 35 mm) and the second diameter 288 of the coil 284may be between five and ten millimeters (5 mm to 10 mm). In anotherexample embodiment, the first diameter 286 of the coil 284 may bebetween twenty-five and thirty millimeters (25 mm to 30 mm) and thesecond diameter 288 of the coil 284 may be between six and eightmillimeters (6 mm to 8 mm). The charging coil 284 may include a wiresuch as a litz wire. The charging coil 284 may include between four andeight turns, such as six turns. The charging coil 284 may generatebetween four and six watts, such as five watts, of power, according toan example embodiment.

The base 104 may include a connection sensor 292. The connection sensor292 may detect proximity of the tablet computing device 102, such as bydetecting proximity of a magnet in the tablet computing device, and mayprompt the tablet computing device 102 and base 104 to initiate aconnection establishment sequence for the keyboard 112 to send input,such as keyboard input from the user, to the tablet computing device102. The sensor 292 may also prompt the keyboard 112 to power on basedon the detected proximity of the tablet computing device 102. Theconnection sensor 292 may include a Hall-effect sensor. The tabletcomputing device 102 may also include a connection sensor, which mayprompt the tablet computing device 102 and base 104 to initiate aconnection establishment sequence. The connection establishment sequenceis shown and described further with respect to FIG. 6.

The keyboard 112 and/or base 104 may include a charging sensor 290 nearthe charging coil 284 in an example embodiment. The charging sensor 290may be configured to detect proximity of a magnet in the tabletcomputing device 102 and prompt the base 104 and tablet computing device102 to initiate a charging sequence. The charging sensor 290 may includea Hall-effect sensor. In another example embodiment, the tabletcomputing device 102 may include a sensor, such as a Hall-effect sensor,that prompts the base 104 and/or keyboard 112 to initiate the chargingsequence. The tablet computing device 102, the base 104, or both, mayinclude a charging sensor that prompts the respective device to initiatethe charging sequence. The charging sequence may include the tabletcomputing device 102 generating a magnetic field via a coil included inthe tablet computing device 102 and the base 104 inducing a current viathe coil 284 to charge the battery. The charging sequence is shown anddescribed further with respect to FIG. 7.

The mount 114 may include at least one magnet to secure the tabletcomputing device 102 to the mount 114, holding the tablet computingdevice 102 in an upright position for ease of viewing. In an exampleembodiment, the mount 114 may include a first column 204 of magnetsextending in a first direction. The first direction may be generallyperpendicular, such as between eighty-five and ninety-five degrees(85-95°) from, the axis 202 of rotation of the hinge(s) 260, 262 and/ormount 114 about the frame 110. The mount 114 may also include a secondcolumn 206 of magnets extending in the first direction. The first andsecond columns 204, 206 may be displaced from each other, such as by atleast one quarter of the width 280 of the frame 110, in a seconddirection that is parallel to the axis 202. The first and second columns204, 206 of magnets may attract corresponding columns of magnets (shownin FIG. 5B) of the tablet computing device 102 to prevent the tabletcomputing device 102 from sliding back and forth in the second directionor rotating on the mount 114.

The first column 204 may include at least one magnet 210, at least twomagnets 210, 212, and least three magnets 210, 212, 214, at least fourmagnets 210, 212, 214, 216, or any number of magnets. The second column206 may include at least one magnet 218, at least two magnets 218, 220,and least three magnets 218, 220, 222, at least four magnets 218, 220,222, 224, or any number of magnets. The magnets in the first and secondcolumns 204, 206 may be opposite in polarity to magnets in the tabletcomputing device 102 that will be aligned with the magnets in the firstand second columns 204, 206 when the tablet computing device 102 ismounted on the mount 114 in the position shown in FIG. 1A. The oppositepolarities may cause the magnets to attract each other, retaining thetablet computing device 102 to the mount 114 and/or base 104. Thepolarities of the magnets in each of the first and second columns 204,206 may be the same in each column 204, 206, may alternate, or may bearranged in any combination.

The mount 114 may also include a row 208 of magnets extending in thesecond direction, which may be generally parallel to, such as withinfive degrees (5°) of, the axis 202. The row 208 of magnets may attract acorresponding row of magnets (shown in FIG. 5B) of the tablet computingdevice 102 to prevent the tablet computing device 102 from sliding backand forth in the first direction. The row 208 of magnets may be locatedin a lower portion of the mount 114, such as closer to the third side272B of the keyboard 112 than to the second end portion 272A of theframe 110, to prevent the tablet computing device 102 from rotatingabout a top portion of the mount 114 (the top portion of the mount 114being adjacent to the second end portion 272A when the mount 114 is flatagainst the frame 110).

The row 208 of magnets may include any number of magnets, such as atleast one magnet 226, at least two magnets 226, 228, at least threemagnets 226, 228, 230, at least four magnets 226, 228, 230, 232, or anynumber of magnets 226, 228, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242, 244,246. The magnets in the row 208 may be opposite in polarity to magnetsincluded in a row in the tablet computing device 102, causing themagnets in the row in the mount 114 to attract the magnets in the row inthe tablet computing device 102, retaining the tablet computing device102 to the mount 114 and/or the base 104. The polarities of the magnetsin the row 208 may all be the same, may alternate, or may be arranged inany combination.

The mount 114 may also include magnets 264, 218, 224, 266 in cornerportions of the mount 114. The magnets 264, 218, 224, 266 in cornerportions of the mount 114 may be included in the columns 204, 206, suchas the magnets 218, 224 being included in the second column 206, or maynot be included in any of the columns 204, 206, such as the magnets 264,266 which are not included in either the first or second columns 204,206. Magnets 264, 218 in the upper corners, which are closer to thesecond end portion 272A of the frame 110 than to the third side 272B ofthe keyboard 112, and/or any of the magnets, may align withcorresponding magnets in the tablet computing device 102 when the mount114 is flat against the frame 110 and the tablet computing device 102 islaid against the entire base 104 in either a closed position as shown inFIG. 1B or an open position as shown in FIG. 1C.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the base 104 with the tablet computingdevice 102 mounted thereon according to an example embodiment. The mountmay be aligned with and/or in contact with a bottom third of the tablet102, and/or with between a bottom half and a bottom fourth of the tablet102. As discussed above, the hinges 260, 262 may be friction hingeswhich cause the mount 114 to maintain its position relative to the base104 and/or frame 110, resisting the force of gravity even when thetablet computing device 102 is attached to the mount 114, until a userapplies sufficient force to the tablet computing device 102 and/or mount114 to rotate the mount 114 relative to the base 104 and/or frame 110.

As discussed above, the friction of the hinges 260, 262 may be lower ina first direction 293, in which the mount 114 rotates toward thekeyboard 112, than in a second direction 294, in which the mount 114rotates away from the keyboard 112. The lower friction in the firstdirection 293 than in the second direction 294 may be effected by atorsion spring, shown in FIG. 3.

The mount 114 may rotate with respect to the base 104 and/or frame 110to create an angle Θ between the frame 110 and the mount 114. The angleΘ of the mount 114 with respect to the frame 110 may vary between zerodegrees (0°) and nearly one hundred eighty degrees (180°), such as onehundred and seventy-five degrees (175°). The keyboard 112 and/or tabletcomputing device 102 may prevent the mount 114 from rotating the fullone hundred and eighty degrees (180°) away from the frame 110, accordingto an example embodiment. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1A and 2B, theangle Θ may be between twenty and eighty degrees (20° to 80°).

FIG. 2C is a side view of the base 104 according to an exampleembodiment. A plane 296 may bisect the base 104 into a top half 296A,which is closer than a bottom half 296B to a top of the keyboard 112,and the bottom half 296B, which is farther than the top half 296A fromthe top of the keyboard. The charging coil 284 may be included in thetop half 296A of the base 104, and/or closer to a top of the keyboard112 than to a bottom of the keyboard 112. The inclusion of the chargingcoil 284 in the top half 296A of the base 104 may make the coil 284proximal to the tablet computing device 102 when the tablet computingdevice 102 is laid on top of the base 104 as shown in FIG. 1B,increasing the strength of the magnetic field at the coil 284.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the base 104 according to anexample embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the base 104 may include one ormore torsion springs 300 intersected by the axis 202. The one or moretorsion springs 300 may be included in, adjacent to and/or in contactwith, the hinges 260, 262 (not shown in FIG. 3). The one or more torsionsprings 300 may be biased to rotate the mount 114 in the first direction293 (not labeled in FIG. 3) toward the keyboard 112, causing thefriction of the hinges 260, 262 to be lower in the first direction 293than in the second direction 294 (not labeled in FIG. 3).

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the keyboard 112 according to an exampleembodiment. While components shown in FIG. 4 are described as beingincluded in the keyboard 112, they could also be included in anycombination of the keyboard 112, frame 110, mount 114, or any othercomponent of the base 104.

The keyboard 112 may include at least one processor 402. The at leastone processor 402 may include a general-purpose processor configured toexecute instructions to perform functions, methods, or techniques, suchas the functions, modules, and/or techniques described herein withrespect to the keyboard 112. The at least one processor 402 may processkeystroke inputs into keys on the keyboard 112 and generate signals foran antenna 406 to send to the tablet computing device 102.

The keyboard 112 may include at least one memory device 404. The atleast one memory device 404 may store instructions and/or data. Theinstructions stored by the at least one memory device 404 may beconfigured to cause the at least one processor 402 to perform any of thefunctions, methods, and/or techniques described herein with respect tothe keyboard 112.

The keyboard 112 may include at least one antenna 406. The at least oneantenna 406 may be configured to wirelessly transmit and/or receivesignals to and/or from any device outside the base 104, such as thetablet computing device 102. The at least one antenna 406 may transmitand/or receive signals according to any mutually understoodcommunication and/or networking protocol, such as Bluetooth.

The keyboard 112 may include the charging sensor 290. The chargingsensor 290 may detect the proximity of the tablet computing device 102(not shown in FIG. 4) in a position to generate the magnetic field tocharge the keyboard 112.

The keyboard 112 may include the coil 284. The coil 284 may induce theelectric current to charge a battery 408.

The keyboard 112 may include the battery 408. The battery 408 may powerother components of the keyboard 112. The battery 408 may berechargeable, and may be recharged by the current induced by the coil284 from the magnetic field generated by the tablet computing device102.

FIG. 5A is a top view of the tablet computing device 102 according to anexample embodiment. The tablet computing device 102 may include thehousing 106 surrounding the display 108 and enclosing components of thetablet computing device 102, such as the components shown and describedwith respect to FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5D. The housing 106 may include afront end portion 502, a rear end portion 504 opposite from the frontend portion 502, a first side portion 506 adjacent to both the front endportion 502 and the rear end portion 504, and a second side portion 508opposite from the first side portion 506 and adjacent to both the frontend portion 502 and the rear end portion 504. While not shown in FIG.5A, the housing 106 may also include the back 116 (shown in FIG. 1B)adjacent to the front end portion 502, the rear end portion 504, thefirst side portion 506, and the second side portion 508, and oppositefrom the display 108.

FIGS. 5B and 5C are cross-sectional views of the tablet computing device102 according to an example embodiment. FIG. 5B also shows the base 104.As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the tablet computing device 102 may includea first column 510 of magnets and a second column 512 of magnets. Eachof the first column 510 and second column 512 of magnets may extend fromthe front end portion 502 of the housing 106 in a direction generallyparallel to, such as within five degrees (5°) of, a direction that thefirst and second side portions 506, 508 extend from the front endportion 502 to the rear end portion 504. A spacing between the first andsecond columns 510, 512 of magnets may be the same as the spacingbetween the first and second columns 204, 206 of magnets included in themount 114 of the base 104, and the lengths and numbers of magnetsincluded in the first and second columns 510, 512 in the tabletcomputing device 102 may be the same as the lengths and numbers ofmagnets included in the first and second columns 204, 206 of magnetsincluded in the mount 114 of the base 104. The polarities of the magnets516 through 522 and 528 through 534 included in the first and secondcolumns 510, 512 of the tablet computing device 102 may be opposite tothe polarities of the magnets 210 through 224 included in the mount 114of the base 104, causing the magnets 516 through 522 and 528 through 534to be attracted to the magnets 210 through 224, causing the tabletcomputing device 102 to be retained to the mount 114 of the base 104.

The tablet computing device 102 may also include a row 514 of magnetsadjacent to the front end portion 502. The row 514 of magnets may be asame length as the row 208 included in the mount 114 of the base 104,may have a same location relative to the columns 510, 512 as the row 208has relative to the first and second columns 204, 206, may have a samenumber of magnets 538 through 548 as the row 208, and the magnets 538through 548 may be opposite in polarity to the magnets 226 through 248included in the row 208 in the mount 114 of the base 104.

The tablet computing device 102 may include a charging coil 560 in acorner portion, such as near an intersection of the rear end portion 504and the second side portion 508, of the housing 106. The charging coil560 may generate the magnetic field to induce the current in thecharging coil 284 of the keyboard 112. The charging coil 560 may becircular, with a diameter 562 approximately the same as, such as withinten percent (10%) of, the first and/or longer diameter 286 of thecharging coil 284 of the keyboard 112, such as between twenty andthirty-five millimeters or between twenty-five and thirty millimeters.In another example embodiment, the charging coil 560 may be oval-shaped,with a diameter in a first direction about half of a diameter in asecond direction; the diameter in the first direction may be between tenand eighteen millimeters and the diameter in the second direction may bebetween twenty and thirty-five millimeters, or the diameter in the firstdirection may be between twelve and fifteen millimeters and the diameterin the second direction may be between twenty-five and thirtymillimeters, according to example embodiments.

The tablet computing device 102 may also include a charging sensor 564.The charging sensor 564 may detect proximity of the base 104 in aposition to charge the battery 408, such as the closed position shown inFIG. 1B, and may prompt the tablet computing device 102 to initiate acharging sequence, such as the charging sequence shown and describedwith respect to FIG. 7. The charging sensor 564 may include aHall-effect sensor.

The tablet computing device 102 may also include a communication sensor570. The communication sensor 570 may detect proximity of the mount 114such as by detecting proximity of a magnet in the mount 114, indicatingthat the keyboard 112 is in a position to communicate with the tabletcomputing device 102, such as the position shown in FIG. 1A, and mayprompt the tablet computing device 102 to initiate a charging sequence,such as the charging sequence shown and described with respect to FIG.6. The communication sensor 570 may include a Hall-effect sensor.

The tablet computing device 102 may also include magnets in the cornersof the housing 106, such as magnets 550, 552, 554, 534. The cornermagnets 550, 552, 554, 534 may be opposite in polarity to (and/or mayeach include pairs of magnets with opposite polarities on opposite ortop/bottom sides of the tablet computing device 102), and may alignwith, the magnets 264, 218 in the mount 114 of the base 104, and mayretain the tablet computing device 102 in either of the positions shownin FIGS. 1B and 1C.

FIG. 5D is a schematic view of the tablet computing device 102 accordingto an example embodiment. The tablet computing device 102 may include atleast one processor 582. The at least one processor 582 may be capableof executing instructions to cause the tablet computing device 102 toperform any of the functions, methods, or techniques described hereinwith respect to the tablet computing device 102. The at least oneprocessor 582 may provide image data based upon which the display 108may generate images. The tablet computing device 102 may also include atleast one memory device 584. The at least one memory device 584 maystore data and instructions. The instructions may include instructionsfor the at least one processor 582 to cause the tablet computing device102 to perform any of the functions, methods, or techniques describedherein with respect to the tablet computing device 102.

The tablet computing device 102 may include at least one antenna 586.The at least one antenna 586 may be configured to transmit and receivewireless signals to and from electronic devices outside the tabletcomputing device 102, such as the keyboard 112. The at least one antenna586 may transmit and receive wireless signals according to any mutuallyunderstood communication and/or networking protocol, such as Bluetooth.

The tablet computing device 102 may include the charging sensor 564, thecommunication sensor 570, and/or the charging coil 560. The tabletcomputing device 102 may also include a battery 588. The battery 588 mayprovide power to other components in the tablet computing device 102.The battery 588 may be rechargeable.

The tablet computing device 102 may include a port 590. The port 590 mayinclude a wired interface for transmitting and/or receiving signals andpower, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port. The tablet computingdevice 102 may recharge the battery 588 using power received via theport 590.

FIG. 6 is a timing diagram showing the tablet computing device 102 andkeyboard 112 initiate communication according to an example embodiment.In a first example, the first device 602 may represent the tabletcomputing device 102 and the second computing device 604 may representthe keyboard 112, whereas in a second example, the first device 602 mayrepresent the keyboard 112 and the second device 604 may represent thetablet computing device 102.

The initiation of communication may begin with the tablet computingdevice 102 being placed onto the mount 114 (606). Based on the tabletcomputing device 102 being placed onto the mount 114, a sensor of thefirst device 602 may detect proximity of the second device 604 (608).The sensor of the first device 602 that detects proximity of the seconddevice 604 may be the sensor 292 included in the mount 114 or thecommunication sensor 570 included in the tablet computing device 102.The sensor of the first device 602 may detect the proximity of thesecond device 604 by detecting a magnetic field generated by a magnetincluded in the second device 604, according to an example embodiment.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, in which the first and second devices602, 604 are aware of and/or have stored each other's hardwareaddresses, the first device 602 may, after detecting the proximity ofthe second device (608), send an identification packet 610 to the seconddevice 604. The identification packet 610 may include an identification,such as a Medium Access Control (MAC) address, of the first device 602and/or second device 604. The second device 604 may respond to receivingthe identification packet 610 from the first device 602 by sending anidentification packet 612 to the first device 602. The identificationpacket 612 may include an identification, such as a MAC address, of thesecond device 604 and/or first device 602.

The first device 602 may respond to receiving the identification packet612 from the second device 604 by sending a synchronization packet 614to the second device 604. The synchronization packet 614 may include amap of a schedule for communication and/or transmission of signalsbetween the first device 602 and the second device 604. In an example ofa frequency hopping spread spectrum communication protocol such asBluetooth, the synchronization packet 614 may include a frequencyhopping synchronization (FHS) packet. The second device 604 may respondto receiving the synchronization packet 614 by sending an identificationpacket 616 confirming the synchronization included in thesynchronization packet 614. The first and second devices 602, 604 maythereafter communicate with each other wirelessly, such as by thekeyboard 112 sending keystroke signals and/or other user input signalsto the tablet computing device 102. While the initiation ofcommunication has been described as being similar to a Bluetooth pagingsequence, other protocols may be performed by the first and seconddevices 602, 604 to initiate communication between the first and seconddevices 602, 604.

In an example embodiment, the tablet computing device 102 may be removedfrom the mount 114 (618). Either or both of the first device 602 andsecond device 604 may detect and/or determine the removal based on adistance and/or lack of proximity of the magnet of the other device 602,604 from the sensor of the device.

The tablet computing device 102 may respond to the removal (618) byactivating on onscreen keyboard on the display 108 (shown in FIG. 1A).The onscreen keyboard may include keys displayed on the display 108 inan example in which the display 108 is a touchscreen, and the tabletcomputing device 102 may respond to contacts with the keys displayed onthe display 108 by processing character inputs corresponding to thecharacters and/or keys displayed and contacted. The tablet computingdevice 102 may process the character inputs in a similar manner to theprocessing of the character inputs when keys were pressed on thekeyboard 112.

The keyboard 112 may respond to the removal (618) by entering alow-power and/or sleep mode. The low-power and/or sleep mode may causethe keyboard 112 to reduce power consumption by not detecting whetherkeys are pressed. The keyboard 112 may detect when the tablet computingdevice 102 is again mounted onto the keyboard 112 (606), and respond byexiting the low-power and/or sleep mode and detecting whether keys arepressed.

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram showing the tablet computing device 102charge the keyboard 112 according to an example embodiment. In thisexample, the tablet computing device 102 may be placed onto the base 104(702). The tablet computing device 102 may be placed face-down onto thebase 104, with the display 108 facing the base 104, as shown in FIG. 1B.The tablet computing device 102 may be placed onto the base 104 so thatthe charging coil 560 of the tablet computing device 102 is aligned withthe charging coil 284 of the keyboard 112. The magnets in the corners ofthe tablet computing device 102 and the base 104 may also align,retaining the tablet computing device 102 to the base 104.

Based on, and/or in response to, the tablet computing device 102 beingplaced onto the base 104 (702), the charging sensor 464 of the tabletcomputing device 102 may detect the proximity of the keyboard 112 and/orbase 104 (704). The charging sensor 464 of the tablet computing device102 may detect the proximity of the keyboard 112 and/or base 104 basedon detection of a magnetic field created by a magnet in the keyboard 112and/or base 104, according to an example embodiment.

Based on detecting the proximity of the keyboard 112 and/or base 104,the tablet computing device 102 may induce a magnetic field (706). Thetablet computing device 102 may induce the magnetic field (706) by, forexample, causing a current to flow through the charging coil 560. Amagnetic field 708 induced by the tablet computing device 102 may extendinto and/or through the base 104, keyboard 112, and/or charging coil284.

The magnetic field 708 may induce an electrical current in the chargingcoil 284 of the keyboard 112 (710). The keyboard 112 may charge and/orrecharge the battery 408 based on the current induced by the magneticfield 708 (712).

FIG. 8 shows an example of a generic computer device 800 and a genericmobile computer device 850, which may be used with the techniquesdescribed here. Computing device 800 is intended to represent variousforms of digital computers, such as laptops, desktops, workstations,personal digital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframes, tabletcomputing device 102, base 104, keyboard 112, and/or other appropriatecomputers. Computing device 850 is intended to represent various formsof mobile devices, such as personal digital assistants, cellulartelephones, smart phones, tablet computing device 102, base 104,keyboard 112, and/or other similar computing devices. The componentsshown here, their connections and relationships, and their functions,are meant to be exemplary only, and are not meant to limitimplementations of the inventions described and/or claimed in thisdocument.

Computing device 800 includes a processor 802, memory 804, a storagedevice 806, a high-speed interface 808 connecting to memory 804 andhigh-speed expansion ports 810, and a low speed interface 812 connectingto low speed bus 814 and storage device 806. Each of the components 802,804, 806, 808, 810, and 812, are interconnected using various busses,and may be mounted on a common motherboard or in other manners asappropriate. The processor 802 can process instructions for executionwithin the computing device 800, including instructions stored in thememory 804 or on the storage device 806 to display graphical informationfor a GUI on an external input/output device, such as display 816coupled to high speed interface 808. In other implementations, multipleprocessors and/or multiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along withmultiple memories and types of memory. Also, multiple computing devices800 may be connected, with each device providing portions of thenecessary operations (e.g., as a server bank, a group of blade servers,or a multi-processor system).

The memory 804 stores information within the computing device 800. Inone implementation, the memory 804 is a volatile memory unit or units.In another implementation, the memory 804 is a non-volatile memory unitor units. The memory 804 may also be another form of computer-readablemedium, such as a magnetic or optical disk.

The storage device 806 is capable of providing mass storage for thecomputing device 800. In one implementation, the storage device 806 maybe or contain a computer-readable medium, such as a floppy disk device,a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or a tape device, a flashmemory or other similar solid state memory device, or an array ofdevices, including devices in a storage area network or otherconfigurations. A computer program product can be tangibly embodied inan information carrier. The computer program product may also containinstructions that, when executed, perform one or more methods, such asthose described above. The information carrier is a computer- ormachine-readable medium, such as the memory 804, the storage device 806,or memory on processor 802.

The high speed controller 808 manages bandwidth-intensive operations forthe computing device 800, while the low speed controller 812 manageslower bandwidth-intensive operations. Such allocation of functions isexemplary only. In one implementation, the high-speed controller 808 iscoupled to memory 804, display 816 (e.g., through a graphics processoror accelerator), and to high-speed expansion ports 810, which may acceptvarious expansion cards (not shown). In the implementation, low-speedcontroller 812 is coupled to storage device 806 and low-speed expansionport 814. The low-speed expansion port, which may include variouscommunication ports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet)may be coupled to one or more input/output devices, such as a keyboard,a pointing device, a scanner, or a networking device such as a switch orrouter, e.g., through a network adapter.

The computing device 800 may be implemented in a number of differentforms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as astandard server 820, or multiple times in a group of such servers. Itmay also be implemented as part of a rack server system 824. Inaddition, it may be implemented in a personal computer such as a laptopcomputer 822. Alternatively, components from computing device 800 may becombined with other components in a mobile device (not shown), such asdevice 850. Each of such devices may contain one or more of computingdevice 800, 850, and an entire system may be made up of multiplecomputing devices 800, 850 communicating with each other.

Computing device 850 includes a processor 852, memory 864, aninput/output device such as a display 854, a communication interface866, and a transceiver 868, among other components. The device 850 mayalso be provided with a storage device, such as a microdrive or otherdevice, to provide additional storage. Each of the components 850, 852,864, 854, 866, and 868, are interconnected using various buses, andseveral of the components may be mounted on a common motherboard or inother manners as appropriate.

The processor 852 can execute instructions within the computing device850, including instructions stored in the memory 864. The processor maybe implemented as a chipset of chips that include separate and multipleanalog and digital processors. The processor may provide, for example,for coordination of the other components of the device 850, such ascontrol of user interfaces, applications run by device 850, and wirelesscommunication by device 850.

Processor 852 may communicate with a user through control interface 858and display interface 856 coupled to a display 854. The display 854 maybe, for example, a TFT LCD (Thin-Film-Transistor Liquid Crystal Display)or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, or other appropriatedisplay technology. The display interface 856 may comprise appropriatecircuitry for driving the display 854 to present graphical and otherinformation to a user. The control interface 858 may receive commandsfrom a user and convert them for submission to the processor 852. Inaddition, an external interface 862 may be provide in communication withprocessor 852, so as to enable near area communication of device 850with other devices. External interface 862 may provide, for example, forwired communication in some implementations, or for wirelesscommunication in other implementations, and multiple interfaces may alsobe used.

The memory 864 stores information within the computing device 850. Thememory 864 can be implemented as one or more of a computer-readablemedium or media, a volatile memory unit or units, or a non-volatilememory unit or units. Expansion memory 874 may also be provided andconnected to device 850 through expansion interface 872, which mayinclude, for example, a SIMM (Single In Line Memory Module) cardinterface. Such expansion memory 874 may provide extra storage space fordevice 850, or may also store applications or other information fordevice 850. Specifically, expansion memory 874 may include instructionsto carry out or supplement the processes described above, and mayinclude secure information also. Thus, for example, expansion memory 874may be provide as a security module for device 850, and may beprogrammed with instructions that permit secure use of device 850. Inaddition, secure applications may be provided via the SIMM cards, alongwith additional information, such as placing identifying information onthe SIMM card in a non-hackable manner.

The memory may include, for example, flash memory and/or NVRAM memory,as discussed below. In one implementation, a computer program product istangibly embodied in an information carrier. The computer programproduct contains instructions that, when executed, perform one or moremethods, such as those described above. The information carrier is acomputer- or machine-readable medium, such as the memory 864, expansionmemory 874, or memory on processor 852, that may be received, forexample, over transceiver 868 or external interface 862.

Device 850 may communicate wirelessly through communication interface866, which may include digital signal processing circuitry wherenecessary. Communication interface 866 may provide for communicationsunder various modes or protocols, such as GSM voice calls, SMS, EMS, orMMS messaging, CDMA, TDMA, PDC, WCDMA, CDMA2000, or GPRS, among others.Such communication may occur, for example, through radio-frequencytransceiver 868. In addition, short-range communication may occur, suchas using a Bluetooth, WiFi, or other such transceiver (not shown). Inaddition, GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver module 870 mayprovide additional navigation- and location-related wireless data todevice 850, which may be used as appropriate by applications running ondevice 850.

Device 850 may also communicate audibly using audio codec 860, which mayreceive spoken information from a user and convert it to usable digitalinformation. Audio codec 860 may likewise generate audible sound for auser, such as through a speaker, e.g., in a handset of device 850. Suchsound may include sound from voice telephone calls, may include recordedsound (e.g., voice messages, music files, etc.) and may also includesound generated by applications operating on device 850.

The computing device 850 may be implemented in a number of differentforms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as acellular telephone 880. It may also be implemented as part of a smartphone 882, personal digital assistant, or other similar mobile device.

Various implementations of the systems and techniques described here canbe realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry,specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits),computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof.These various implementations can include implementation in one or morecomputer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processor, whichmay be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data andinstructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storagesystem, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications or code) include machine instructions for a programmableprocessor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural and/orobject-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machinelanguage. As used herein, the terms “machine-readable medium”“computer-readable medium” refers to any computer program product,apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks, memory,Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructionsand/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readablemedium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal.The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to providemachine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

To provide for interaction with a user, the systems and techniquesdescribed here can be implemented on a computer having a display device(e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor)for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointingdevice (e.g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user can provideinput to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide forinteraction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to theuser can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback,auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user can bereceived in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

The systems and techniques described here can be implemented in acomputing system that includes a back end component (e.g., as a dataserver), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an applicationserver), or that includes a front end component (e.g., a client computerhaving a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a usercan interact with an implementation of the systems and techniquesdescribed here), or any combination of such back end, middleware, orfront end components. The components of the system can be interconnectedby any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., acommunication network). Examples of communication networks include alocal area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), and theInternet.

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will beunderstood that various modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention.

In addition, the logic flows depicted in the figures do not require theparticular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirableresults. In addition, other steps may be provided, or steps may beeliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be addedto, or removed from, the described systems. Accordingly, otherembodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Implementations of the various techniques described herein may beimplemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware,firmware, software, or in combinations of them. Implementations mayimplemented as a computer program product, i.e., a computer programtangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a machine-readablestorage device, for execution by, or to control the operation of, dataprocessing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, ormultiple computers. A computer program, such as the computer program(s)described above, can be written in any form of programming language,including compiled or interpreted languages, and can be deployed in anyform, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component,subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. Acomputer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or onmultiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites andinterconnected by a communication network.

Method steps may be performed by one or more programmable processorsexecuting a computer program to perform functions by operating on inputdata and generating output. Method steps also may be performed by, andan apparatus may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry,e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC(application-specific integrated circuit).

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, byway of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, andany one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, aprocessor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory ora random access memory or both. Elements of a computer may include atleast one processor for executing instructions and one or more memorydevices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer alsomay include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transferdata to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data,e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. Informationcarriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and datainclude all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of examplesemiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memorydevices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks;magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor andthe memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in special purposelogic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, implementations may beimplemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a cathode raytube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor, for displayinginformation to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., amouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to thecomputer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interactionwith a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can beany form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback,or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in anyform, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

Implementations may be implemented in a computing system that includes aback-end component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes amiddleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes afront-end component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical userinterface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with animplementation, or any combination of such back-end, middleware, orfront-end components. Components may be interconnected by any form ormedium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network.Examples of communication networks include a local area network (LAN)and a wide area network (WAN), e.g., the Internet.

While certain features of the described implementations have beenillustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions,changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. Itis, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended tocover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spiritof the embodiments of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A base comprising: a frame; a keyboard partiallyenclosed by the frame, the keyboard being configured to wirelesslycommunicate with a computing device, the keyboard including a firstside, a second side adjacent to the first side, a third side adjacent tothe second side and opposite from the first side, and a fourth sideadjacent to the first side and to the third side and opposite from thesecond side, wherein: the first side of the keyboard contacts aperimeter of the frame; the second side of the keyboard contacts theperimeter of the frame; the third side of the keyboard does not contactthe perimeter of the frame; and the fourth side of the keyboard contactsthe perimeter of the frame; a battery configured to provide power to thekeyboard; a mount hingedly attached to the frame, the mount beingadjacent to the third side of the keyboard; a single coil coupled to thebattery, the single coil being closer to the second side of the keyboardthan to the fourth side of the keyboard and closer to the first side ofthe keyboard than to the third side of the keyboard, the single coilbeing configured to induce a current from a magnetic field generated bya charging coil of the computing device to charge the battery, the basenot including any charging coils other than the single coil; and asensor configured to: detect a proximity of a magnet in the computingdevice; prompt the keyboard to power on based on detecting that themagnet is proximal to the sensor; and prompt the keyboard to enter alow-power mode based on determining a lack of proximity of the magnet tothe sensor.
 2. The base of claim 1, wherein the frame is made of metaland at least a portion of the keyboard facing away from the frameincludes plastic.
 3. The base of claim 1, wherein the single coil isoval-shaped.
 4. The base of claim 1, wherein a first diameter of thesingle coil in a first direction is between twenty and thirty-fivemillimeters and a second diameter of the single coil in a seconddirection is between five and ten millimeters.
 5. The base of claim 1,wherein a first diameter of the single coil in a first direction isbetween twenty-five and thirty millimeters and a second diameter of thesingle coil in a second direction is between six and eight millimeters.6. The base of claim 1, wherein a first diameter of the single coil in afirst direction is between three and five times a second diameter of thesingle coil in a second direction.
 7. The base of claim 1, wherein thesingle coil is located in a corner portion of the keyboard.
 8. The baseof claim 1, wherein the single coil includes litz wire.
 9. The base ofclaim 1, wherein the single coil includes between four and eight turns.10. The base of claim 1, wherein: the frame is disposed on a bottom sideof the keyboard; and the single coil is included in the keyboard and iscloser to a top side of the keyboard than to the bottom side of thekeyboard, the top side of the keyboard being opposite from the bottomside of the keyboard.
 11. The base of claim 1, wherein the sensorincludes a Hall-effect sensor.
 12. The base of claim 1, furthercomprising a magnet configured to prompt the computing device togenerate the magnetic field to charge the battery.
 13. The base of claim1, wherein the base is configured to initiate a communication protocolwith the computing device in response to the sensor detecting proximityof the computing device.
 14. The base of claim 1, wherein: the sensorcomprises a connection sensor; and the base further comprises a chargingsensor configured to detect proximity of a magnet in the computingdevice and prompt the base to initiate a charging sequence.
 15. A basecomprising: a frame; a keyboard partially enclosed by the frame, thekeyboard being configured to wirelessly communicate with a computingdevice, the keyboard including a first side, a second side adjacent tothe first side, a third side adjacent to the second side and oppositefrom the first side, and a fourth side adjacent to the first side and tothe third side and opposite from the second side, wherein: the firstside of the keyboard contacts a perimeter of the frame; the second sideof the keyboard contacts the perimeter of the frame; the third side ofthe keyboard does not contact the perimeter of the frame; and the fourthside of the keyboard contacts the perimeter of the frame; a batteryconfigured to provide power to the keyboard; a single coil coupled tothe battery, the single coil being configured to induce a current from amagnetic field generated by a charging coil of the computing device tocharge the battery, the base not including any charging coils other thanthe single coil; and a sensor configured to: detect a proximity of amagnet in the computing device; prompt the keyboard to power on based ondetecting that the magnet is proximal to the sensor; and prompt thekeyboard to enter a low-power mode based on determining a lack ofproximity of the magnet to the sensor.
 16. The base of claim 15,wherein: the frame is disposed on a bottom side of the keyboard; and thesingle coil is included in the keyboard and is closer to a top side ofthe keyboard than to a bottom side of the keyboard, the top side of thekeyboard being opposite from the bottom side of the keyboard.
 17. Thebase of claim 15, further comprising a magnet configured to prompt thecomputing device to generate the magnetic field to charge the battery.18. A base comprising: a frame; a keyboard partially enclosed by theframe, the keyboard being configured to wirelessly communicate with acomputing device, the keyboard including a first side, a second sideadjacent to the first side, a third side adjacent to the second side andopposite from the first side, and a fourth side adjacent to the firstside and to the third side and opposite from the second side; a batteryconfigured to provide power to the keyboard; a mount hingedly attachedto the frame, the mount being adjacent to the third side of thekeyboard; a single coil coupled to the battery, the single coil beingcloser to the second side of the keyboard than to the fourth side of thekeyboard and closer to the first side of the keyboard than to the thirdside of the keyboard, the single coil being configured to induce acurrent from a magnetic field generated by a charging coil of thecomputing device to charge the battery, the base not including anycharging coils other than the single coil; and a sensor configured to:detect a proximity of a magnet in the computing device; prompt thekeyboard to power on based on detecting that the magnet is proximal tothe sensor; and prompt the keyboard to enter a low-power mode based ondetermining a lack of proximity of the magnet to the sensor.
 19. Thebase of claim 18, wherein: the frame is disposed on a bottom side of thekeyboard; and the single coil is included in the keyboard and is closerto a top side of the keyboard than to a bottom side of the keyboard, thetop side of the keyboard being opposite from the bottom side of thekeyboard.
 20. The base of claim 18, further comprising a magnetconfigured to prompt the computing device to generate the magnetic fieldto charge the battery.